Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-07-21
in various vays-as Lord OF Misrule in

In various ways-as Lord OF Misrule II
Scotland, and King of Bean in France
In some parts of Tourainc, replied
Mr.. Heywode Il have seen a very
elaborate court ceremonial. After the
bean was found, five slices of cake
were devoutly laid aside, one for oul
Lord, one for his mother, one for eacl
of the three wise men, and these were
afterward given to the poor. The king
and queen were crowned, and a king S
fool chosen. who was expected tc
sparkle with wit. Tho king was lifted
three times in his chair, and obliged to
make three crosses on the ceiling with 8
piece of chalk, to avert evil from the
house, as they said--to bring good
luck for the year, as we should put it.
That ceremony is only possible. OF
course, among the peasants and simple
folk. whose ceilings are sufficiently
low. But come" he continued, pass.
ing on to the further end of the room.
and lifting portiere. He invited them
to follow him through hall, and into
a long room. where the Twelfth Night
feast was spread.
Shortly after. Rosamond Young,
flourishing a massive silver knife, pro-
ceeded to divide and distribute the
cake. Much mirth ensued as the
search went for the hidden articles,
which were to confer such honor for
the night, and the fun reached its
height when Judge Wesley John was
possessed of the bean. So solemn a
king could never have been since the
days of Edward the Confessor and
Louis the saint; but with benign
smile he allowed himself to be crown
ed, and even seemed to enjoy, in a
resigned fashion, the temporary supre-
macy he had acquired. The pea fell
to the girl who danced the mazurka in
the Polish style. and it is on record
that she offered her crown to Rosa,
mond, who as promptly declined it,
laughingly condoling with her on hav-
ing consort who might have serious
scruples against her favorite pastime.
Il may stir the people up to revolu-
tion," she answered, merrily. 1--WE
may insist on the king dancing the
the maZurka-"
"Gravely dignifed as he seems" in
terrupted Miss Young. II believe him
quite cabable of leading you all dance.
He will rule his own realm"
And so 1t proved. As according &c
the laws of the bean, all had to act
like their sovereign they soon found
that they had enough to do to follow
his eccentric majesty's head.
OF all the line of monarchs crowned
at Heywode none had ever surpassed
Mr.. John in decorous misrule, and his
excessive gravity added to the success
of his role. If Twelfth Night were to
finish Christmas. Harold Heywode' S
guests were detcrm ned to give it a
right royal ending.
Only Rosamond, pale and tired. lean
ed back against the wall. watching the
others with wan smile. Mr.. Hey
wode turned his calm. pleasant face
toward her as he made some common
place remark. and. noting her weary
look, offered her chair.
They have forgotten the ring cake. y
she said as she accepted it. Il never
knew that to happen BEFORE
Speaking of rings he said, with
an effort of lghtness, ARE you to be
married soone AS very old friend !
may ask?'
II? Oh! no. am not expecting to
be married at all.
81 beg your pardon. understood
at least was told-that Judge john"
II know. Every one has decided on
that except Mr.. John and myself. l
have never cOntrad cted the report,
| because it has never before come to me
directly enough to enable ME to do So
When Miss Stan slas offered me her
crown just now, | could not 90 into de-
tails before everybody and tell her that
had nosprior claim
Certainly NOT
The king had carried his court after
him into the drawing rooms; they fol-
lowed him like the rats after the pied
piper. Mr.. Heywode looked absently
toward the open door. Rosamund
made Il movement to 90.
Stay one moment. Have you ever
heard from our old friend, Anna Mari,
who some way-how, | never knew,
but some way-came between us?"
Rosamunds pale cheek flushed.
II had n letter from her yesterday"
She drew it from her pocket and hest
tated. 1T explains all that" she
continues; "but don't know whether
l ought to show it to YOU"
He held out his hand silently, and
she laid the letter in it. AS he unfold
ed it something dropped; he uttered an
exclamation of surprise as he picked ii
up. Was it possibleP Could it be the
slender gold ring that Rosamond LOST
50 many years ago? Yes, there coulc
be no mistake. for inside was engraved
the date. Tearing open the page, hi
read:
"RosAMoND-Long ago l wronget
you. The ring Harold gave you was
loose on your finger. When yot
dropped it found it, and made YOU
believe he had placed it on my hand.
That was not true; placed it ther,
myself. Forgive me if you can; car
never forgive myself, though l mean
no more than a girlish piece Of mis-
chief. At least you will believe from
this that am sorry. and am dom,
what can to atone for my fault.
! A. NJ.
Mr.. Heywode folded the note and re
turned it without word, but kept tn,
ring. holding it loosely in the palm O
his hand.
Rosamond. a little hurt and dissa
pointed at his silence, again turned Il
go; but he laid his hand on her arm.